China is building one of the largest satellite networks the world has ever seen. With two major satellite constellations—Guowang and Qianfan—now being deployed, the number of satellites in space is increasing at a rapid pace.
Rising Numbers in Orbit
These satellite swarms are meant to provide global internet and communication services. But the fast-growing numbers are raising alarms around the world.
The satellites are launched using rockets like the Long March 6A and Long March 8. These rockets place the satellites in low Earth orbit. But there’s a problem: the upper stages of these rockets are often left behind in space. These large metal parts don’t come back to Earth quickly. Instead, they stay in orbit for many years, or even decades, because they are at high altitudes where the Earth’s atmosphere can’t pull them down.
For example, some rocket parts are stuck at altitudes of around 447 to 484 miles. This is far above the level where they would slowly fall back to Earth. Instead, they float in space, turning into long-lasting debris. The Guowang and Qianfan satellites themselves are positioned even higher—around 621 miles above the Earth. That’s even more crowded space being taken up.
As China prepares for more launches, concerns are growing that these new satellites and leftover rocket parts will add to the already packed orbital paths above our planet.
Quantum Collapse: The $100 Million Flaw That Shattered China’s ‘Unhackable’ Micius Satellite
Old Rockets, New Risks
One of the biggest concerns is how rocket parts are handled after launch. In many countries, modern rockets are made to return to Earth safely. This process is called a controlled reentry. It means that extra fuel is used to guide the rocket stage back into the atmosphere, where it burns up or lands in a safe location. This helps prevent space debris.
China has built newer rocket parts like the Yuanzheng-2 that can do this. But many of its older rockets still don’t use this method. These older rockets stay in space after they release their satellites, floating without control. In 2022, one of these uncontrolled reentries caused Spain to close its northern airspace out of caution. The rocket parts could not be tracked accurately, creating a global safety issue.
More launches are planned using the Long March 5B and Long March 8 rockets. These launches are expected to support the growing Guowang constellation, which could include over 1,000 launches in total. Each launch adds more parts to orbit, some of which are not designed to come back safely. This raises the chances of accidents in space and even risks to people on Earth if parts reenter without warning.
With little atmospheric drag at these high altitudes, some of the rocket debris may stay in orbit for over 100 years. This long-lasting presence adds to the congestion and makes future space operations more dangerous and more complicated.
Stop Weaponizing the Stars! China Warns U.S. Against Triggering Space Arms Race
Satellite Clutter and Global Concern
China is not the only country sending large numbers of satellites into space. SpaceX, a private company, has already launched more than 6,700 satellites for its Starlink internet service. But the rising number of satellites from both countries is now a shared concern for the world.
Starlink satellites, while providing valuable services, have made it harder for scientists to observe stars and planets. Their shiny surfaces reflect sunlight and often interfere with telescopes on Earth. However, SpaceX has tried to reduce the problem by using darker coatings and planning controlled reentries for its rockets.
China’s growing space fleet has added pressure to this already complex situation. Critics point out that there’s limited information available about the country’s rocket launches and orbital activities. This lack of transparency becomes a problem, especially during uncontrolled reentries, when other countries may not receive timely updates.
Without clear communication about where rocket debris might land or how satellites are being managed, countries around the world face difficulties in planning their own space missions. The high number of satellites and debris also raises fears of collisions in orbit—a chain reaction known as the Kessler Syndrome. In this scenario, one collision can lead to more, creating an even bigger cloud of space junk.
As China continues to grow its presence in space with large satellite networks and new rocket technology, the concerns over space debris and orbital safety continue to grow. With more and more objects filling the skies above Earth, the need for careful management and better handling of rocket waste becomes increasingly urgent.
